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H.B. 124

This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Feb 18, 2004 at 7:42 AM by kholt. -->              1     

SMALL CLAIMS COURT JURISDICTION

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2004 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies provisions related to small claims court.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    increases the amount a claim can be in small claims court from $5,000 to $7,500;
             13          .    allows nonattorneys to represent parties without compensation; and
             14          .    makes technical changes.
             15      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             16          None
             17      Other Special Clauses:
             18          None
             19      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             20      AMENDS:
             21          78-6-1, as last amended by Chapter 215, Laws of Utah 1997
             22     
             23      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             24          Section 1. Section 78-6-1 is amended to read:
             25           78-6-1. Small claims -- Defined -- Biannual review -- Counsel not necessary --
             26      Deferring multiple claims of one plaintiff -- Supreme Court to govern procedures.
             27          (1) A small claims action is a civil action:


             28          (a) for the recovery of money where:
             29          (i) the amount claimed does not exceed [$5,000] $7,500 including attorney fees but
             30      exclusive of court costs and interest; and [where]
             31          (ii) the defendant resides or the action of indebtedness was incurred within the
             32      jurisdiction of the court in which the action is to be maintained; or
             33          (b) involving interpleader under Rule 22 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, in
             34      which the amount claimed does not exceed [$5,000] $7,500 including attorney fees but
             35      exclusive of court costs and interest.
             36          (2) The judgment in a small claims action may not exceed [$5,000] $7,500 including
             37      attorney fees but exclusive of court costs and interest.
             38          (3) Counter claims may be maintained in small claims actions if the counter claim
             39      arises out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff's claim. A
             40      counter claim may not be raised for the first time in the trial de novo of the small claims action.
             41          (4) The Judicial Council shall present to the Judiciary Interim Committee prior to the
             42      general session of the Legislature during odd-numbered years a report and recommendations
             43      concerning the maximum amount of small claims actions.
             44          (5) [Persons] (a) With or without counsel, persons or corporations may litigate actions
             45      on behalf of themselves:
             46          (i) in person; or
             47          (ii) through authorized employees [with or without counsel].
             48           H [ (b) A person or corporation may be represented in an action by an individual who is
             49      not an employee of the person or corporation and is not licensed to practice law only if that
             50      individual receives no compensation for that individual's representation.
             51          (c)
] (b) h
A person or corporation may be represented in an action by an individual who is
             51a      not
             52      an employee of the person or corporation and is not licensed to practice law only in accordance
             53      with H THE UTAH RULES OF SMALL CLAIMS PROCEDURE AS PROMULGATED BY THE h Supreme
             53a      Court H [ rule if the individual is being compensated ] h .
             54          (6) If a person or corporation other than a municipality or a political subdivision of the
             55      state files multiple small claims in any one court, the clerk or judge of the court may remove all
             56      but the initial claim from the court's calendar in order to dispose of all other small claims
             57      matters. Claims so removed shall be rescheduled as permitted by the court's calendar.
             58          (7) Small claims matters shall be managed in accordance with simplified rules of



             59      procedure and evidence promulgated by the Supreme Court.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-11-03 9:35 AM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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